What does the pro side say/think/believe? What does the con side say/think/believe? Which side will you be arguing? Why?
Pro: Those in favor of doctors prescribing placebos for patients to use feel that there is no harm to the practice. The job of a doctor is to help cure a patient and instill hope in them, not to leave them with no suggestions or alternatives when problems arise. By prescribing placebos, which those in favor define as treatments that do not directly cause any physiological changes to the body, the doctors are doing their job by pleasing the patient. If there is any chance at all that the placebos will cause the patients to mentally feel comforted, there is no reason not to use them. Statistics seem to be supporting that when children and adults are given these "pretend" medicine pills, the brain seems to take over and convince them that they are feeling better. Basically, it is a way to satisfy needs without causing any harm that could result in unecessary medication.
Con: For as many people that are for the use of Placebos, there are just as many that feel it is unethical. Patients that were surveyed felt that the relationships that they have with their doctors are vital in feeling comfortable and safe. It is morally wrong for a doctor to prescribe these pills because they are being decietfull and hiding information from their patients. Not only does it create a false sense of trust between the patients and doctors, but when doctors give the pills to parents for their kids the practice of lying continues. Also, recently the definition of placebos has changed. Rather than being strictly sugar pills or vitamins that truly are harmless, stimulants and extremely low doses of medicine that usually have no effect on the body are becoming more popular. This crosses the line completley, putting the patients at risk. Finally, instituting the practice of placebos furthers the latest trends of relience on drugs to fix everything. It creates a dependance even among young children when in reality, letting a cold run its course could be the simple solution.
As of know, I think that I am going to defend those against the practice of placebos however I am still undecided at this point until I research the mind/body relationship more.
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I think this is a really good topic to research. I've personally never knew anything about placebos so I am interested in reading your blogs and learning more about it. Some things that i would like to know is what kinds of doctors use placebos. Do all physicians use them or do just specialists use them and if so what kind of specialists? Have you even been presciribed a placebo or do you know if your doctor give out placebos? And how did you come across picking this topic for your research paper? I hope that these questions might help you in your writing process and from your blogs I think your heading in a really good direction with your paper.
ReplyDeleteI also think you chose a good topic. The pro-cons are practically equal, so it will be interesting to see how you will be able to choose one. I know you are leaning towards defending those who are against placebos, but it seems like you have a very good understanding of both sides of the issue. I have some questions in general. Is it legal for Doctors to tell patients they are giving them one medication, and then subscribe them another? Something you may want to consider for the pro side is whether substituting a drug with any placebo is any different than a doctor mixing up two patients' subscriptions. Also, if a patient is told they are taking one med and given another, maybe there are health risks involved in accidentally mixing medications. I think the pro side would be the best side to argue, especially since you seem to know a lot about the recently changing definition of placebos.
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